AG Tim Fox Presents Outstanding Advocate Award in Helena

On Friday morning, Montana Attorney General Tim Fox presented the 2019 Matt Dale Outstanding Advocate of the Year award to a Judge Advocate with the Montana National Guard at Fort Harrison.

“That person is nominated for their exceptional service to survivors of sexual assault,” said Fox. “These are victims of crime who need an advocate, someone to help them get through the process and provides compassionate service to them. For the first time in the 26 years of this award we gave the award to a colonel in the United States Air Force, Beverly Schneider, who was nominated for the work that she does for the United States military, particularly the National Guard members, the Air Guard, and others in the military.”

Fox said that Col. Schneider is a military attorney with the rank of Judge Advocate.

“Sexual assault not only occurs in civilian life but also in the military,” he said. “We went out to Fort Harrison in Helena where it happened to be Drill Week where the entire leadership command of the Guard were there, and to top it off, it was also her birthday, so I presented her with one of my Attorney General Challenge Coins as a birthday present,” he said. “There is a rigid command structure in the military and other barriers that could prevent someone from self-reporting a sexual assault, but as I read the recommendations for her award, she is someone that can encourage them to come to her and avail themselves of the great advocacy that she provides.”

Also on hand for the award presentation was Major General Matthew Quinn, Montana’s Adjutant General.

Next week, Attorney General Fox will present the award to the remaining two 2019 honorees; one in Miles City and one in Red Lodge.